Mesothelioma Aid

Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead

Side effects of chemotherapy - hair loss

Next to nausea and vomiting, most
patients, especially women, worry about hair loss. Some drugs are
more likely than others to cause hair loss, and your physician will
tell you whether to expect this particular side effect. If the drug
you will be taking is associated with hair loss, there are some
ways to minimize hair loss, but they are not always effectively.
Both involve preventing the chemotherapy drug from reaching the
hair follicles in the scalp, either by constriction of the area
with a tourniquet of by application of cold to reduce blood flow
to the area. Your physician will let you know whether these are
appropriate in your case.

Many patients decide to simply grin and “bare” it and
most find that losing hair is more traumatic than being without
it. Experts generally recommend that you cut your hair prior to
receiving drugs that will cause severe hair loss. Your scalp will
be sensitive to touch after hair loss, and sensitive to sun exposure,
so it’s important to treat a newly bald scalp tenderly. Avoid
unnecessary trauma, select soft head coverings (those sequined ball
caps that well meaning friends provide may be far too uncomfortable)
and apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn. It’s also important
to remember that the hair provides an “early warning system”
for the head, and without it, you are much more likely to bump your
head on cabinets, car trunks and low entrances. For this reason,
it’s a good idea to keep your head covered for protection
against trauma which is not only uncomfortable, but can be a source
of infection.

A variety of wigs is available both for men and women, and your
local cancer society can assist you in finding one that is appropriate
for you. Many patients find wigs to be both uncomfortable and hot,
so before spending a substantial amount on one be certain it’s
what you want. In some cases, your insurance company may provide
financial assistance, or your cancer society may have a program
to help with the expense.

When your hair returns, you may find it a different color and
texture than before, and it may not be as thick. Most experts agree
that it’s important to pamper hair as it grows back in, and
recommend gentle shampooing, soft brushes and wide tooth combs,
and avoiding caustic products including permanent waves.